Worker Survives 30-Foot Fall

Ropes, pulleys and an aerial ladder were used to pull a Colorado construction worker to safety after he fell 30 feet to the bottom of a building under construction in Hudson.

The accident occurred at 9:20 a.m. Tuesday (Feb. 10) around the 1000 block of 1st Avenue in the small town north of Denver, according to authorities.

Neither the injured worker nor his employer have been identified. Details were few, and the investigation was continuing.

Photos: Greeley Fire Department

The construction worker fell 30 feet to the bottom of a building under construction in Hudson, CO. A technical rescue was executed by firefighters and paramedics.

After receiving the emergency phone call, the Greeley Fire Department rushed to the scene and promptly requested back-up to execute a technical rescue of the injured worker.

Denver's CBS News affliate reported that the worker was transferred to a local hospital, where it was determined that he had broken his pelvis in the fall. He underwent surgery Tuesday afternoon, the news outlet said.

Reports do not indicate whether he was equipped with fall protection.

Technical Rescue

Access to the injured worker was difficult since the building was under construction, according to Lt. Ben Ojinaga.

The rescue effort took just over an hour, authorities said.

The crew of 15 rigged an on-scene technical rescue system, using pulleys, ropes and an aerial ladder to pull the worker to safety.

The rescue effort took just over an hour, authorities said.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials did not respond Thursday as to whether an investigation has been launched.